Sector-led sessions
Social Work Week 2023
Organisations and individuals from across the sector running their own independent events and activities as part of Social Work Week.
Please note
These sessions have now passed. This page offers an overview of the sessions that took place in March 2023.
Events by date
Disclaimer
Any views, information or opinions expressed by third parties during Social Work Week are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Social Work England or its employees. Social Work England accepts no liability for the content of third-party or sector-led sessions held during Social Work Week.
Contents
Monday 20 March
Every social worker is a brain injury social worker
Time
10am to 12pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Caroline Bald - Lecturer in social work, University of Essex
- Akudo Amadiegwu - Lecturer in social work, University of Essex
- Mark Holloway - Social worker and case manager
- Steph Grant - lived experience of brain injury
Description
This session will highlight the issues surrounding the complexities of acquired brain injury and the need for all social workers to have a basic knowledge and understanding of the condition. It will highlight the hidden elements of the condition, the frontal lobe paradox and the need for assessors to take into account the possibilities of acquired brain injury when dealing with certain behaviours.
The Black Care Experience - shaping a better care experience for Black children and young people in children’s social care
Time
10am to 11.30am
Location
Online
Event run by
- Judith A.M. Denton - Founder of the Black Care Experience and chief executive of The Transformed You
- Omar Mohamed - member of the Black Care Experience network steering team and a social worker
- Anita Beckett - member of the Black Care Experience network steering team and a care experienced professional
- Emma Fincham - member of the Black Care Experience network steering team and a social worker
Description
This session will provide Practitioners with an overview and insight into:
- the history of the Black Care Experience
- the challenges faced by Black children and young people in care
- the importance of keeping Black children and young people in care connected to their culture, identity and heritage as they journey through the care system
- how practitioners can help to improve the care, outcomes and life chances of Black children and young people in their care.
Best practice in supporting social workers' return to practice
Time
10am to 12pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Carol Stewart - Director Chinara Enterprises Ltd
- Professor Jill Manthorpe - Kings College London, plus representatives of the Chinara Enterprises Learning and Development delivery team
- Suzanne Hudson - Senior Advisor, Workforce and Policy, Local Government Association
- Previous participants who have been supported to return to social work practice (and others to be confirmed)
Description
Local authorities across the country continue to struggle to recruit experienced social workers. This session will be of benefit to social workers wishing to return to practice and employers of social workers.
It will share learning from the training and development programme delivered for social workers returning to social work practice. We will explore the benefits of such programmes, and how they can aid recruitment. We will share our successes and hear from previous participants.
Eating disorders - the facts
Time
10.30am to 11.30am
Location
Online
Event run by
- Fiona Hayward - Principal Social Worker for Children and Families, Wiltshire Council
- Nicola Davies - health psychologist and specialist
Description
This session is aimed to develop awareness around the subject of eating disorders and to offer recommendations for resources and approaches. It tells a story of one person's experience, what helped and what did not help.
Community social work - rediscovering social work’s meaning and potential
Time
1pm to 2pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Jane Pye - Lecturer in social work, Lancaster University
- Colin Turbett - Social work commentator and author
Description
This session will present community social work as a model for statutory agencies which deliver personal social services in all areas of practice. This model offers preventative and relationship-based practice based on communities’ needs, to provide a way out of the dilemmas and constraints the profession faces in statutory settings. It enables genuine engagement with communities and opportunities for social workers to use the skills, values and knowledge which underpins effective and ethical practice.
Social Work England's regional engagement lead for the North West will be in attendance at this session.
A day in the life of an evidence-based social worker
Time
1pm to 2pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Jen Sebright - Senior Practice Development Coordinator, What Works for Early Intervention and Children’s Social Care
Description
Evidence based practice in action! Join us to hear about the latest research and explore how you can apply it to your busy working day. Hear from researchers, social workers and stakeholders about the importance of research to inform your practice. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and reflect on what it means to you. The session will also see What Works for Early Intervention and Children’s Social Care, the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (NFJO) and NICE present some of their recent research.
Shining a light on co-production in social work - a Northern Ireland perspective
Time
2pm to 4.30pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Reflections Co-production Group - a group of people with lived and learned experience of social work
- Professor Joe Duffy - Queens University, Belfast
- Eileen McKay - Deputy Director of Social Work Belfast Trust
- Jean Reynolds - Carer and Co-Chair of Local Engagement Partnership
- Brendan McKeever - User background
- Joanne Samson - Researcher and Physical Disability Activist
- Ray Hamilton - Service user and co-chair of Local Engagement Partnership
- Jane McCullough - Governance and Improvement Manager, Belfast Trust
- Avery Bowser - Fostering Manager, Action for Children
- Patricia Burns - Social work lecturer University Ulster, Belfast
Description
Co-production needs to be understood as something to do because of values (it’s the right thing to do) and for effectiveness (it leads to better services).
We’ll share case studies and learning from our publication ‘Social work and co-production’ to support others to start co-production or do more in their service.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the workshop.
Coaching training for members of our lived experienced communities – expanding the offer and promoting GROWth
Time
2pm to 3pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Social Work Voices
- Sophie Walters - Citizen Involvement Coordinator for Social Work, University of Suffolk
Description
Social Work Voices is a group of individuals with lived experience and knowledge of social work and social care services. This group is embedded in social work education at the University of Suffolk and Suffolk County Council.
This session will share the benefits of coaching training with our lived experience communities. It will look at the GROW model, what has worked well, what we have learnt and what can be passed on to other organisations.
Social Work England's regional engagement lead for the Eastern region will be in attendance at this session.
Tuesday 21 March - World Social Work Day
Haikus – using poetry as a tool for developing critical reflection for social work practice
Time
10am to 12pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Dr Orlanda Harvey - Senior Lecturer (social work), Bournemouth University
- Dr Louise Oliver - Senior Lecturer (social work), Bournemouth University
- Jasmine Thompson - Social work bachelors student, Bournemouth University
- Kathy Brennan - Social work masters student
Description
A workshop showcasing how poetry (in the form of haikus), can support critical reflection on practice based upon our research.
Reflective practice is an important social work skill. We have worked with students to develop their critical reflection through the use of haikus. It has led to a deeper level of critical reflection on practise. We would like to share this activity with social work practitioners and educators.
Social Work England's regional engagement lead for the South West will be in attendance at this session.
Maintaining significant relationships for children after adoption
Time
1pm to 4pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Experts with lived experience
- Vicky Swift - Letter Swap Implementation Lead, National Adoption Strategy Team
- Denise Smalley - Advanced Practitioner, National Adoption Strategy Team
- Julie Young - University of East Anglia
Description
This session explores why maintaining significant relationships following a plan of permanency or adoption is vital for children and young people no longer living with their first families.
Join people with lived experience of adoption and professionals working in this area to explore why maintaining significant relationships following adoption is important.
Learn about recent research from the University of East Anglia and develop your understanding of the lifelong impact of adoption.
Building lasting relationships for children in care
Time
10am to 11.15am
Location
Online
Event run by
- Lucy Hutchinson: Head of Lifelong and Family Group Decision-Making programme
- Pam Ledward: Principal Social Work Adviser
- Sean Haresnape: Practice Lead (Family Group Decision-Making and Lifelong Links)
Description
Join this session to find out more about the Family Rights Group’s Lifelong Links programme.
The programme was developed to ensure that a child in care has a positive support network during their time in care and in adulthood. 32 local authorities in the UK now offer Lifelong Links to children and young people in care and care leavers.
Strengths-based practice in adult social care: Is it working? How do we know?
Time
10.30am to 12pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Dr Madeleine Stevens - Care Policy Evaluation Centre, London School of Economics
- Dr Jessica Carlisle - Care Policy Evaluation Centre, London School of Economics
Description
There has been little evaluation of strengths-based practice in social care and little is known about its impact on citizens and carers. During this session we will share findings from our research in 3 local authority sites, exploring how one such approach, ‘The Three Conversations’, could be meaningfully evaluated. We invite practitioners, people who use services, and carers to join us in discussing the implications of the research and the potential contribution of strengths-based approaches for improving practice.
Wednesday 22 March
Hope and joy – supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people in North East England
Time
10am to 10.50am
Location
Online
Event run by
- Nathan Head - Social work consultant, Durham County Council
- Laura Tennick - Social worker, Durham County Council
- Emma Craggs - Social worker, Durham County Council
Description
Join this session to spend some time thinking about how we can build relationships and plan with young people to help them thrive.
How can we pay attention to social graces, cultural humility, acknowledge and celebrate difference in our work? We will create a space where we can explore stories of hope, change, healing, and joy. A brilliant opportunity to be curious and learn together.
Peer share and celebrate session - Wiltshire
Time
10am to 11.30am
Location
Online
Event run by
Wiltshire Council
Description
This is a celebration of practice and focuses on sharing and learning from practice. The session includes practitioners from a range of practice areas. The aim is to share learning and to celebrate great practice!
The power of voice
Time
10.30am to 11.15am
Location
Online
Event run by
- Fiona Hayward - Principal Social Worker for Children and Families, Wiltshire Council
- Adele Owens - Systems Thinking Practitioner
Description
This session will showcase how Wiltshire has embraced the voice of parents. We will hear from adults with lived experiences of children's child protection and ways we are enabling through voice.
Positive stories of social work
Time
11am to 1pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Dr Sally Lee - Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Bournemouth University
- Peter Atkins - PIER Coordinator, Bournemouth University
- Rosslyn Dray - Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Bournemouth University
Description
In a world where we see huge challenges in the health and social care sector, we want to shine a light on the powerful relationships and change built through social practice. As a profession social work needs to remember the positive impact of practice to inspire and rejuvenate our identity.
In this session we bring together stories of lived experience from a range of perspectives including people with first-hand experience of social work services and practitioners. The aim is to create a regional repository of stories which participants will be invited to add to, and this will be shared with wider networks to promote social work and social care identity.
The digital social worker of 2023. What do they look like?
Time
11am to 12.15pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Digitising Social Care programme - NHS Transformation Directorate
- Tommy Henderson – Reay - social worker, skills and networks programme
Description
The session will explore what it means to be a social worker who embraces the use of technology in their role and what practical steps any social worker can take to increase their confidence. The session will look at practical examples, interviews with social workers engaging with technology and a chance for participants to share their thoughts and experiences on the subject.
Supporting a habit of learning in social work
Time
12pm to 1pm
Location
Online
Event run by
Rebekkah Tabern - Client Partner Lead, Community Care Inform
Description
Community Care Inform is an online social work learning and development resource which can be purchased by local authority subscribers at organisations throughout the UK.
This session will cover how we have developed a new way of daily ‘micro learning’ to support time poor practitioners, The Habit of Learning. We hope to be joined by others who have supported the initiative as a way of helping practitioners complete their annual CPD registration requirements.
An environment where practice can thrive - compassionate employers, valuing staff
Time
1pm to 1.50pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Shelley Gill - Service Improvement Manager, Durham County Council Children’s Social Care Team
- Chris Ring - Principal Social Worker, Durham County Council Children’s Social Care Team
- Jane Farrell - Practice Lead, Durham County Council Children’s Social Care Team
- Gladys Mante–Nyadu - Practice Lead, Durham County Council Children’s Social Care Team
Description
Social work in children’s social care has never felt more challenged. Recruitment and retention pressures, increased demand and referrals, placement sufficiency, the impact of austerity, a passionate but inexperienced newly qualified workforce and experienced staff leaving the profession. How do we create an environment where practice can flourish with support and compassion, mindful of the impact of secondary trauma?
This session offers a safe space to stop and consider the environment where practice can blossom and flourish. Let’s be curious together.
What do unaccompanied asylum-seeking children need as they approach adulthood and how can we support them?
Time
2pm to 4pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Dr Deborah Hadwin - Senior lecturer in social work, De Montfort University.
- Kirstie Baughan - Social worker, Central Bedfordshire Council
Description
This interactive workshop will explore what is important to unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people as we consider their experiences of integration, community and their journey into early adulthood. We will provide you with insights into the latest research in this field and share an exciting, new model which can be used in your social work practice.
This session is suitable for social workers, personal advisors and social work students with an interest in working with and supporting unaccompanied young people.
Social Work England's regional engagement lead for the Midlands will be in attendance at this session.
Social work trainee pod model with the University of Sunderland
Time
2pm to 3.30pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Steph Downey - Service Director Adult Social Care, Gateshead Council and Chair North East Social Work Alliance Teaching Partnership
- Sarah Beck - Associate Head of School of Social Sciences and Social Work, University of Sunderland and Vice Chair North East Social Work Alliance Teaching Partnership
Description
Gateshead Council and the University of Sunderland share their social work trainee degree apprenticeship pod model. The session will explore why they developed the model and the learning from it so far. At the session you will hear from social work leaders, academics, co-educators and the trainees themselves.
Social Work England's regional engagement lead for the North East will be in attendance at this session.
Don't tell me - ask me - the voice of the adult child
Time
3pm to 4.30pm
Location
Online
Event run by
Beverley Ann - Specialist Recovery Practitioner working with adults overcoming childhood trauma and abuse
Description
In this interactive question and answer session Beverley will share her own lived experience plus her professional perspective as a trauma specialist recovery practitioner.
Science is recognising the impact of trauma - physically, mentally (neurologically) and emotionally, with pre-disposed medical and psychosocial outcomes of children with adverse experiences, into adulthood. What about the impact of secondary trauma and triggers to the care givers?
Think family - trauma throughout the life course (in-person event)
Time
9.30am to 4pm
Location
This is an in-person event at Kingston University London, Kingston Hill Campus (KT2 7LB).
Event run by
- Libbi Aldred - Head of the Social Work Teaching Partnership, Developing Together Social Work Teaching Partnership
- Philippa Mann – Partnership Manager, Developing Together Social Work Teaching Partnership
- Taz Mudali - CPD and Events Lead, Developing Together Social Work Teaching Partnership
- Sharon Evans - Practice Consultant, Developing Together Social Work Teaching Partnership
Description
This in-person conference on trauma-informed practice is being hosted by a regional teaching partnership made up of local authorities, Kingston University and private, voluntary and independent partners.
The day will explore the impact of trauma at all stages in the life course through speakers, workshops and activities. It will be of interest to social workers from both children's services and adult services as well as other social care professionals, social work students and people with lived experience.
Social Work England's regional engagement lead for London will be in attendance at this session.
Thursday 23 March
Good lives, better lives: Making change together with people with learning disabilities
Time
10am to 11.30am
Location
Online
Event run by
- Rachael Hall - Membership and Engagement Lead, Learning Disability England
- Fazeela Hafejee - Assistant Director Adults with Disabilities, Bradford Council
- Elaine James - Service Manager Community Team Learning Disabilities, Bradford Council
- Rob Mitchell - Head of Service, Bradford Council
- Further speakers to be confirmed
Description
Social work plays a significant role in making sure people with learning disabilities live good lives. As we work towards a vision for a good life, we invite social workers and colleagues to join us for this session to hear about the Good Lives: Building Change Together framework and the Local Government Association's Better Lives framework. Join a discussion on how they can be used together and be part of your practice.
Social work in schools - benefits and challenges
Time
11am to 12.30pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Prospera Tedam - Associate Professor, United Arab Emirates University
- Jenny Rafter - Deputy Head of School, Anglia Ruskin University
- Dr Maralize Vergottini - Senior Lecturer, North West University, South Africa
- Helen Franklin - Lecturer in Social Work, Keele University
- Claire Brown - Senior Lecturer, Teesside University
- Cathryn Jani - Social worker/practice educator, Support Circle
Description
This session from the Social Work in Schools International Collective (SWISIC) will consider the benefits and challenges of social work in schools. We will hear from students who have completed practice learning opportunities in schools and from academics who have developed these opportunities. We will reflect on the learning available to social work students based in schools and the potential impact on children and families.
The session will also offer an insight into school-based placements in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates to provide an international perspective.
"I'm a great communicator... It's the rest of them!"
Time
11am to 12.30pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Nadine Boyne - Founder of Social Work DISCovery
- Jennifer Williams - Partner/Associate of Social Work DISCovery and Head of Service in Royal Borough of Greenwich Children Social Care
Description
Social Work DISCovery is a professional development academy for social workers and teams. Join us for an interactive session that will help you to develop a deeper understanding of yourself and those around you. You will learn why at least 70% of people do not behave and communicate like you do, and how easy it is for miscommunications to damage professional and personal relationships. This session will help you to understand your behavioural tendencies and preferences enabling you to communicate better and value the diversity of others around you.
Wiltshire ways of writing - one year on
Time
11am to 12.30pm
Location
Online
Event run by
Fiona Hayward - Principal Social Worker for Children and Families, Wiltshire Council
Description
Find out how Wiltshire Council has been embedding ways of writing based on feedback from the ‘Language that Cares’ report. This glossary of words and terms that aims to change the language of the care system was published by adoption and fostering charity TACT (The Adolescent and Children’s Trust) with care experienced young people, local authorities and organisations.
We would like to share our experiences, good examples and the impact this is having on our practice as well as with our families and children.
Writing about children: recognising how language can impact a child’s journey
Time
11am to 12.30pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Emma Fincham - Fostering Consultant, CoramBAAF
- James Bury - Head of Policy, Research and Development, CoramBAAF
Description
A webinar on how social workers write about children and young people.
Care experienced adults report that reading their files can be hugely impactful for them. We will discuss how language used when describing a child and their experiences can be interpreted at a later date.
The session will focus on a strength-based approach to writing about children, articulating qualities to celebrate and nurture, in addition to support needs.
Demystifying leadership in children’s social work
Time
1pm to 2pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Elanie Ademokun - Head of Leadership Programmes, Frontline
- Further speakers to be confirmed
Description
Join us for a panel discussion looking at leadership in children’s social work. Our speakers will explore what leadership means to them, challenges they have faced and key learnings in this area.
We know that strong leadership skills empower people at all levels to navigate their roles and contribute to creating a culture which prioritises children and families above all else. We believe that leadership is a skill that can be developed; this session will delve into this.
The journey to inclusion - the history of the Shropshire Council Anti-Racism Forum
Time
2pm to 3.30pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Mark Tomlin - Senior Social Worker
- Siobhan Hughes - Principal Social Worker, Children’s Social Care
- Tamsin Waterhouse - Principal Social Worker, Adult Social Care
- Viv Krishan - Rehabilitation Officer Visual Impairment
Description
Shropshire Council Anti-Racism Forum is a relatively new forum which has attracted a large membership. Join us to learn about Shropshire Council’s Anti-Racism Forum, meet its members, hear our stories, be inspired and hopefully leave feeling uplifted.
We aim to celebrate diversity, and identify, challenge and address racism and inequality in all its forms. This event is a celebration and an acknowledgement of the work of the forum over the last 2 years and what it means to its members and the Council. We wish to share the joy!
Principles of practice
Time
3pm to 4pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Dr Tanya Moore - Research Lead, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
- Sarah Range - Head of Quality Practice & Principal Social Worker Adults & Communities, Southend-on-Sea City Council
Description
In 2022, a group of Children’s and Adults principal social workers came together from across England to write about our passion areas of practice - to reflect and consider what are the important practice issues we face as a profession. In doing so, we discovered that the one factor that binds all our perspectives together is the importance of relationships.
The workshop will cover a range of areas of practice with conversations facilitated by the authors who will encourage participants to apply their own reflections to relational social work.
Safeguarding in the hostile environment
Time
7pm to 8.30pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Naomi - Social Workers Without Borders
- Ally - PAFRAS (Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers)
- Brian - Migrants Organise
Description
Social Workers Without Borders and the Solidarity Knows No Borders network invite you to join us as we learn about the implications of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 for social work practice.
The workshop will explore how this legislation impacts social work practice and safeguarding and question what this means for our professional identity. There will be a presentation featuring the voices of people with lived experience and then time for questions from participants.
Supporting practice development in social work and social care – learning, influencing and looking ahead
Time
4 sessions delivered across the day
Location
Online
Event run by
- Claire Webster - Practice Development Consultant, SCIE
- Suzanne Howard - Practice Development Consultant, SCIE
- Suzanne Cottrell - Safeguarding Consultant, SCIE
- Suzanna Clark - Practice Development Consultant, SCIE
- Helen Norbury - Interim Director Business and Commercial Development, SCIE
- Ewa Wnorowska - Safeguarding Consultant, SCIE
- Carmen Colomina - Practice Development Manager, , SCIE
- Joanna Lenham - Practice Development Manager, SCIE
- People who draw on social work services
Description
In this session, members of the team from the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) will introduce people and practitioners to work to put people at the centre of everything we do. This includes co-production, safeguarding, applying the Mental Capacity Act and strengths based approaches. We’ll also discuss how we support organisations to do the same. Our team includes people from our Co-production Network, which includes people who use services and carers who have been involved in SCIE's work and projects.
Friday 24 March
Neurodiversity and professionalism in social work
This event was cancelled.
The important voices of our children and people in Darlington: A co-production and collaboration story
Time
11.30am to 1pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Steph Hunter - Head of Practice and Quality Principal Social Worker, Darlington Borough Council
- Joseph Robb - Service Manager, cared for children Darlington Borough Council
Description
In Darlington we may be a small council, but we pride ourselves on meaningful and creative engagement and co-production with people.
The session will give you an overview of our structural and cultural relational practice model, which lends itself to promoting true engagement with families. We will highlight animation with children and podcasts with young people - recorded as part of black history month but part of our ongoing commitment to diversity and much more.
Relational practice workshop
Time
1pm to 2.30pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Farrah Khan - Head of Service, Leeds Children and Families, Leeds City Council
- Nyoka Fothergill - Head of Service, Leeds Adults and Health, Leeds City Council
Description
This workshop will explore the different relationships in social work and how social workers can hold people through challenging times. The workshop will explore the core values of relational practice and provide an overview of Leeds City Council’s approach to relationship working. It will also discuss how Leeds supports progression and development.
During the session you can expect to learn how to bring your whole self to social work, understand the barriers to building relationships, and equip yourself with a toolbox for practice.
Social Work England's regional engagement lead for Yorkshire and the Humber will be in attendance at this session.
A celebration of the strength-based approach
Time
2pm to 4pm
Location
Online
Event run by
- Debbie Brough - Head of safeguarding and Principal Social Worker, London borough of Sutton - Adult Social Care
- Vanitha Chandrasekharan - Deputy Safeguarding service lead and Social Work Practice, London borough of Sutton
Description
A celebration of the strength-based approach. This session will focus on the positive impact of using a strength-based approach in Adult Social Work Practice. We will hear from people with lived experience on how the strength-based social work approach has positively impacted their lives. We will also explore the different models and theories used and some strengths-based assessment tools.